Sitting here, bottom bunk, waiting to go to chow and clearing out random shots that never got properly sorted. Must’ve taken this with Photo Booth. Failed as a dextrous self portrait (holding laptop at arm’s length) but is a great candid distillation of the ‘cast that I look forward to every week.
Really like how Chris is talking with his hand.
Need to start writing again, dammit.
It’s time to BLOG.
I’m sitting here at work, on a Saturday, surfing around this limping internet connection in the double-wide trailer that is my office. I’m waiting for a group of my user base to finish a field exercise so I can conduct a follow up on how the equipment worked, receive the gear back, and prep it for the next cycle.
Guess I’m due for an update with uh, actual content.
Work
It’s been just shy of 3 months since I moved out here. In that time I’ve taken 5 trips, 3 of which were business related. I’m currently at the tail end of workups which as you might know (if you’ve any military experience) are a real bitch. 5 day training cycles back to back, regardless of weekends. The overtime is nice but having a single day off on the optional day 5 here and there got old fast.
This gig is alright but the technical proficiency required is way, way below the level most of the guys are at. As with any proprietary system maintenance becomes repetitive, troubleshooting systematically predictive.
The big news here is me having about 3 weeks left in the states. After that I have 3 months of fun in the sun overseas. Making some bucks.
School
So I’m officially enrolled in school again, 100 percent online. First couple of classes kind of shatter the MAGIC of being a student again as they are strictly introductory courses to, taking online course I guess. Work is paying for classes, GI Bill is going straight to me. Pretty sweet setup. It’ll be years before I have my degree but I’m satisfied having grabbed the chisel and started the chipping process.
Creative Output
Close to NIL. Picture of the day is treading water in a sea of forgotten folders on my laptop. I’ve at least half a dozen articles sitting in bullet form for TWG. Wacom nearly went for a quick trip out/through the window. Camera saw some action in Chitown but shooting just didn’t feel right.
Unsure what’s missing, what catalyst I left in Chicago. This here is a good start, maybe the trip overseas will provide a spark. WHO KNOWS.
Woodge
So Woodge is good but different in two ways since the move. He’s gained about 2 pounds (!!) and adopted a second personality which manifests in the first 5 mins of me coming home each day. Pretty much meows his tiny head off and will take all measures, appropriate or otherwise, to remain within 2 inches of my personal space.
Real. Clingy.
The Apartment
Next to nothing has been done, still have about 20 boxes of books and such that simply have no place to go. The field expedient flat-screen mounting and surround sound are working for now but I’ve yet to decide on a permanent shelving solution. Add the need for a workbench and proper desk to the list of things to do that’ll have to wait until I get back.
What’s Next
Just about all current plans revolve around my upcoming business trip. I’ve started a pile of 3 months worth dental floss, socks, and other such mundane items as one would bring on an extended camping trip. I’ll have pretty reliable internet access for classes and an excess of time in which to prowl these internets for inspiration.
Goals while gone are hefty and involve massive workouts, a couple of DIY projects (PEGGY being the first), online courses, and the postal delivery of my 360 for remote gaming.
I’ll probably fall back on the oft-used crutch of getting some new photography gear before I head out, leaning towards a G10 for the portability/ruggedness angle.
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Extremely pleased with the big upheaval and relocation to the PacNorthWest. I’m pretty lucky to have awesome friends both out here and the resources to have visited my old friends since the move.
Now I just need some free time.
EDIT:
Oh man, forgot to mention the fact that I’ve been smartphoneless for a week now. Left my phone in Chicago while there for Nate’s wedding.
the horror.
Finally got around to restocking the frog tank with plants.
